The bail of this pearl pendant was inspired by the Ionic order you can see on the columns of some temples in Greece, such as the temple of Athena Nike that from Mycenaean times had guarded the entrance to the Acropolis from the southwest.
Ever since the times of the Persian wars, Athena was worshipped here as the goddess who bestowed victory in military confrontations.
The classical temple of Athena Nike was built entirely of Pentelic marble. It is a small building, yet it is distinguished for its charm and elegance. Two colonnades, comprising each four monolithic Ionic columns, frame the little cella on the east and west façades. Of particular interest is the sculptural decoration of the temple
The Ionic capital is characterised by the use of volutes - a spiral, scroll-like ornament. It is said that the woman's body inspired the Ionic order, with the capitals' volutes like the woman's hair to the flutes on the column shaft, which reminds of the folds of a woman's dress.
